Email Safety & Security

Be smarter than the scammers. Identify and avoid phishing scams.

Identifying and Avoiding Phishing

Phishing emails are sent by scammers to fraudulently obtain your personal identification and account information or to lure you into downloading malicious software. Learn to spot the difference between authentic Discover Communications and phishing scams:

Discover includes the last four digits of your Discover card account number on the top and bottom of most emails

Discover card emails often include your full name in the greeting line as it is displayed on your card

Discover will never ask you to reply with information directly in an email

Phishing Example: Account Alert

Suspicious Address
The first indication of a phishing e-mail is an unrecognized sender's address. Please forward suspicious e-mails to emailwatch@discover.com to determine whether the e-mail is genuine or fraudulent.

Urgent Messaging
Phishers will try to scare you into action with a request to click a link or button in the e-mail to prevent fraud. No valid Discover e-mail will ask you to disclose sensitive personal information within an e-mail.

Unusual or Non-Matching Links
Be aware of unusually worded links. Double-check them by holding your mouse over a link without clicking on it to display a tool tip that contains the actual URL you would be directed to. If they don't match, don't click on it. This could initiate a virus installation.

If you suspect you have received a phishing e-mail, forward it to emailwatch@discover.com. If you interacted with the e-mail and believe your account security has been compromised, call 1-800-DISCOVER immediately.

Odd Graphics
If the buttons and images in an e-mail look unfamiliar to you, don't click any of the images.

False Account Information
If you receive statements via e-mail, double-check the balances. If the totals don't appear correct, proceed with caution and check for other suspicious activity on the e-mail.

Log On from Unsecure Site
Discover will never ask you to log on to your account from anywhere other than our secure website.

If you suspect you have received a phishing e-mail, forward it to emailwatch@discover.com. If you interacted with the e-mail and believe your account security has been compromised, call 1-800-DISCOVER immediately.

Generic Addressee
Discover knows its Card Customers and will address e-mails by name. If you receive an e-mail without your specific name, it may be a phishing attempt.

Unusual or Non-Matching Links
Be aware of unusually worded links. Double-check them by holding your mouse over a link without clicking on it to display a tool tip that contains the actual URL you would be directed to. If they don't match, don't click on it. This could initiate a virus installation.

If you suspect you have received a phishing e-mail, forward it to emailwatch@discover.com. If you interacted with the e-mail and believe your account security has been compromised, call 1-800-DISCOVER immediately.